Health & Fitness
The Entitlement of America?
We need a national discussion about what role government entitlements should play
This political season reminds us of the philosophical chasm that has come to exist in our culture and country. The stark differences we see in the political spectrum today can be partially attributed to the fact that we've allowed ourselves to become a nation made up of producers supporting takers.
It's a conversation that occurs daily in our media and I've discussed it on occasion with some of you. A recent article on Bloomberg.com reported that 49 percent of Americans live in a household that receives some type of government benefit. And 63 percent of all federal spending consists of checks written to individuals for which the government receives no tax payment.
Some of us have gotten used to having our way paid by someone else!
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How many of us really think about the fact that when we say "the government," we're really talking about you, me, and all of our family and friends. If you're one of the people getting one of those checks, that money is courtesy of us! Although we had no say in whether or not you get it, it still came from all of us who everyday go to our jobs and pay our taxes.
Do people think about that? Do the 49 percent mentioned earlier think about what the rest of us must do to make sure they get that money?
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In the March edition of the Mehlville School District newsletter, the Mehlville Messenger, school board president Venki Palamand stated 75 percent of the residents in the school district are non-parents, meaning they currently have no children enrolled in the public schools. Yet, they provide the majority of the taxes that constitute the school district's budget.
As one of those folks, I know good schools contribute to a healthy community, and I'm happy to do my part. But I would still appreciate a simple thank you occasionally. And understand, I'm not even close to arguing against assistance for food and shelter. Our moral obligation as a society is to care for those who cannot care for themselves. But maybe it's time we have a discussion about the definition of "cannot."
